Shoe-fastener.



J. M. DAHLGREN.

SHOE FASTBNBB. uruouxou nun n.4, 1e11,

Patented July 18, 1911.

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JOHN MAGNUS DAHLGREN, OF KOLLOCK, SOUTH CAROLINA.

SHOE-FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 18, 1911.

Application filed February 4, 1911. Serial No. 606,627.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. DAHLGREN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kollock, in the county of Marlboro and State of South Carolina, have invented new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a button hook attachment for shoes and a reinforcementfor the buttonholes of shoes, and the primary object of the invention is the provi sion of a device of this class which is attached to the shoe and which comprises a hinged loop adapted to engage the button of the shoe and direct the same within the hole or opening for its reception.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this class comprising a pair of elements each constructed of a strand of wire, one of said elements being formed with spaced arms arranged adjacent the opposite edges provided by the shoe button opening, the second element comprising a loop connected with the first named element and adapted to engage the button so as to position the same directly in alinement with the button opening, and whereby the parts of the shoe provided with the but-- ton will be brought directly beneath the overlapping portion provided with the buttonhole.

With the above and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the description progresses, the invention resides in the novel construction and combination of parts hereina-fter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe, showing the upper portion thereof open and provided with the improvement. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the improvement. Fi 3 1s a perspective view of a slightly modi ed form of the device.

In the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates the shoe. This shoe 1 is of the ordinary construction of that class of shoes known as button shoes. As is well known in the art the buttons 2 are arranged upon the upper 3 which is adapted to be overlapped by the upper containing the buttonho es 4. As is also well known in the art, it is necessary to provide some means which ordinarily comprises a hook and which is inserted through the opening 4 in order to grasp the shank of the button 2 to bring the under and overlapping edges of the upper 3 so as to project the button 2 through the opening 4. In the present instance, the

overlapping portion of the upper, which is designated by the numeral 5, has its inner face provided with what I term a buttonhole reinforcing member 6. This member 6 is provided with a pair of spaced arms 7, each of which are adapted to lie adjacent the edges of the buttonhole 4, and the said member is constructed of some suitable, preferably resilient material, so that the same will not present a bulky surface nor prove an obstacle to the wearer.

The arms 7 have their free extremities bent and inserted through suitable openings adjacent the outer ends of the buttonhole, and the said arms have their inner portions bent upon themselves as at 8, to provide a reduced portion which is adapted for the reception of some suitable securing element, such as a bail 9. It is to be understood, however, that the extremities of the arm 7 as well as the reduced portion 8 may be connected in other suitable, and perhaps preferable manners, as for instance, the extremities of the arm 7 may be formed with eyes 7 whereby the said arms may be stitched to the upper and the reduced portion 8 may be likewise stitched to the said upper. The extremity of the reinforcing member, which extends beyond the reduced portion 8 is stirrup shaped as designated by the numeral 10 and pivotally connected with the said stirrup is the bail shaped butt-on engaging member 11. This member 11 is also, preferably, constructed of a single strand of suitable resilient material, and has its outer edge substantially U-shaped and the arms diverging therefrom formed with eyes 12 whereby they are connected with the member 10 of the reinforcing element 6. The member 11 is adapted to serve as a needle and to engage the button 2 so that when the portion of the upper, designated by the numeral 5, is swung upon the underlying portion of the said upper, the lever or button engaging member will swing the underlying portion of the lever together with the button 2 directly into alinement with the buttonhole opening 4, and whereby a single pressure will force the button through the opening, thus providing an effective means for buttoning a shoe as well as reinforcing the buttonholes thereof.

From the above description taken in con- 5 that the device is not only simple, easily apnlied, but also reinforces the button opening and prevents the tearing thereof when the button is passed therethr'ough.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, is

1. The combination with a shoe having its upper provided with the usual overlapping portions, one having an opening and the other having a button adapted to be received within the said opening, of a reinforced element for the opening, and a lever pivotally connected with the reinforcement and. adapted to engage with the button of the shoe to swing the latter int-o alinement with the opening.

2. The combination with a shoe having its upper provided with overlapping portions,

one of which being provided with. a buttonhole, and the other being provided with a button to engage Within the said buttonhole, of a reinforcenient surrounding the longitudinal edges of the buttonhole, means for securing the reinforcement to the upper of the shoe, said reinforcement having its inner extremities formed with a stirrup shaped extension, a lever, said lever comprising a single element having oppositely arranged arms formed with eyes connected with the stirrup, and said lever adapted to engage with the button of the shoe when the said button is to be forced through the buttonhole.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

L. E. CARRIGAN, B. C. CARRIGAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of I'atents. Washington, D. G. 

